This week, Michael Beale treated Sunderland’s three January acquisitions to dinner, and he was pleased with what he heard from them.
Romaine Mundle, Callum Styles, and Leo Hjelde are players who Sunderland’s head coach respects, but he also wanted to get to know them better outside of the training field and the game after giving them a few days to adjust to life on Wearside after their late-winter window arrival.
To make sure he gets the most out of the three on a matchday, Beale will benefit from understanding what motivates them off the field.
“The restaurant we went to, Romaine had already been there and was ordering before anyone else had chance to look at the menu!”
“For various reasons, each of the three boys is interesting. It’s great to get to know them and for them to get to know me. Callum, who is 23 years old, has played in over 200 games, including over 125 in the Championship. Romaine recently returned from a stint in Belgium. Leo has played in this league with Rotherham and in Scotland.
“I always believe that you can get the most out of someone if you feel at ease around them. As a new player entering our atmosphere, what matters to me is how soon teammates and staff can put them at ease.
“You recruit a player because you see them perform well while they’re on another team, but how can you replicate that on our squad? There is some degree of integration going on; it’s not just that he wears a red and white shirt one day and a blue shirt the next. Everything is a part of the process.
“You should consult with them as they have all come from reputable clubs. Being an international player preparing for the Euros, you want to know what they like, what they’ve seen that they like, and what are one or two areas where we could make improvements. Callum is one of those players. We must consider all options for improving.”
Styles, who underwent appendix surgery last month, will be too soon to play in Saturday’s visit from Plymouth, but he won’t be long in making his debut. Mundle is anticipated to be back in the squad, and Hjelde is probably going to maintain his spot on the team.